Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS)

The Role of DIS

DIS work in health departments, community health centers, and other similar locations. The DIS role was initially established to work in the field of STD prevention. However, these public health professionals have ground-level investigative skills that have also become key components of tuberculosis outbreak response; HIV exposure notification; other infectious disease control efforts; and emergency response. DIS have expertise in essential skills such as communication, interviewing, counseling, case analysis, and provider and community engagement. As the health care landscape evolves, DIS are needed even more as patient navigators and network builders to ensure patients are linked to care through expanded relationships with health care providers. DIS are a critical part of the public health infrastructure and in building the link to health care.

DIS Creed

“I am a proud Disease Intervention Specialist, a highly skilled health professional who stops at nothing to prevent the consequences of communicable disease among those so unfortunate to be infected or exposed. My greatest reward is knowing I make a difference.”